Clinton has been a superb "transactional" leader--that is, in making deals, navigating through the budget process, negotiating with opposition and allies. He's done this domestically, but also internationally, where he's been amazingly active and made an enormous commitment, just in terms of travel alone.

The problem comes when an issue arises above the everyday budgetmaking and the like, and big work has to be done. This is where the Clinton Administration has failed. In certain areas, he and his colleagues have not risen above the transactional level. They've done it rhetorically, in laying out great ideas...